It appears that consumer demand for footwear is continuing to boom as US branded footwear retailer DSW Inc. reported a 16% rise in net sales for the second quarter ended August 4. Sales soared to $348.7 million from the $301.3 million reported for the same quarter in 2006, whilst same store sales increased 5.9%.

Net sales for the first six months also improved, rising 14% to reach $705.7 million, up from $617.8 million for the same prior-year period. Same store sales increased 0.9% for the comparable twenty-six week period.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, DSW offers brand name and designer dress, casual and athletic footwear for women and men. It currently operates 236 stores in 36 US states and supplies footwear to 364 leased locations.